I was just looking for some input in regards to a trip out to CO this summer. I was thinking of taking my wife and two young children (5/6) out that way this summer for 1 1/2-2 week trip. Basically, I was looking for suggestions as where would be best to stay. Most days would consist of me road riding relatively early for 3-4 hrs, and then coming back and doing family activities by late morning. I am having a tough time picking somewhere to stay, and I never been out that way. Thanks for any suggestions.

01-28-14, 05:50 AM

southlogan

There are so many possibilities. Just one I'll throw out is the Glenwood Springs/Carbondale/Crystal River Valley area. Lots of great cycling either outside your door or within a short drive. Independence Pass, McClure Pass, Grand Mesa, Cottonwood Pass. I'm sure there are others I'm not thinking about right now. Also tons of good family stuff to do. A few great restaurants in Carbondale, and of course you'd be a short drive from Aspen. PM me for a specific rec on where to stay.

01-28-14, 01:42 PM

mje

Summit county--there's lots of outdoor and/or tourista activities for the family, and it's the nexus of several good road rides.

01-28-14, 03:16 PM

45suited

Thank you both for the suggestions. I'll take a look into both of those.

01-28-14, 03:27 PM

eofelis

If you go a bit further west to Grand Junction there is plenty of great road riding right from the hotels and it's a good town for a family vacation.
Lodging might be cheaper in GJ than Glenwood Springs.

Visit Colorado National Monument.
Main Street is nicely walkable with splash fountains for kids in the summer.
There are 2 nice hotels right on Main St, so you could walk around town right from them. More motels out near airport.
There is a good dinosaur museum in Fruita that is sort of kid oriented.
Moab is a 90 minute drive away.

01-29-14, 02:57 AM

Dalai

Are you planning to be based in the one spot or travel around? Your family have any particular interests / things you like doing?

Although at elevation, I expect Grand Junction would be baking in summer? I passed through CO on a 3 week riding holiday last September and found it still very hot in the valley.

Was on a tight budget so kept to the cheaper hotels or camped. Actually no complaints from Americas Best Value Inn in Grand Junction - pool to cool down in plus looks to be a small playground for the kids...

01-29-14, 09:59 AM

mje

Yes, if the OP wants a mountain vacation to escape summer heat, then he needs to be higher than GJ (4500ft) or Glenwood (5900 ft). There are lots of places that meet that criteria. Fewer of them provide a wide variety of activities. Many have limited road riding choices. Head to the center of the tourist area for the most variety and number of roads.

01-29-14, 01:41 PM

Dalai

Not sure if enough activities to keep the family busy for a week, but Leadville was a nice town at a higher elevation. Close enough to the back of Independence pass and on the Copper triangle loop...

01-29-14, 11:27 PM

45suited

Thanks again for the input guys. I made the mistake of showing my wife the Gateway Canyon Resort in Grand Junction, and she really liked what she saw. The accommodations looked top notch, and they seemed to have plenty of activities for the kids (pool, horseback riding, hiking, and spa). I realize it will be pretty hot, but I will be heading out early, so it shouldn't be too bad. I guess I am either going to suffer with the heat or suffer with the elevation, and where I am from I will be more acclimated to the heat.

I have given some thought of maybe spending a few days somewhere else like Boulder or the Aspen area. I am just not sure yet.

01-30-14, 03:34 AM

Dalai

Resort looks nice - far more luxurious than the places I stayed!

Only downside for riding other than the heat (which could be minimised by very early starts) is that there aren't many ride options; out and back either north or south...

01-30-14, 09:55 AM

mje

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45suited

Thanks again for the input guys. I made the mistake of showing my wife the Gateway Canyon Resort in Grand Junction, and she really liked what she saw. The accommodations looked top notch, and they seemed to have plenty of activities for the kids (pool, horseback riding, hiking, and spa). I realize it will be pretty hot, but I will be heading out early, so it shouldn't be too bad. I guess I am either going to suffer with the heat or suffer with the elevation, and where I am from I will be more acclimated to the heat.

I have given some thought of maybe spending a few days somewhere else like Boulder or the Aspen area. I am just not sure yet.

That sounds like a great choice. I'm sure all will have fun. You probably get to suffer with both the heat and elevation when you ride Grand Mesa (11,332 ft).

02-01-14, 11:18 AM

Shifty

Gateway is a nice resort, but it is out in the middle of nowhere, absolutely nothing else for miles around. One paved road, rides either direction from resort are nice, but that is it for riding. It's a two hour drive to Telluride, an hour to Moab or Grand Junction. If you and the family are looking for isolation and relaxation Gateway is nice, if you want more, then I'd say go to Summit County or Vail.

02-02-14, 04:31 PM

valygrl

Yeah, nothing to do at Gateway, and the riding, though nice, is limited. You will all die of boredom in 2 days.

Try Breckenridge or Frisco (Summit County) - lots more stuff to do for the family, including beachy stuff at the lake, commercial stuff, riding, mountain-y stuff, luxury stuff at Breckenridge.

02-02-14, 10:46 PM

45suited

Thanks again for the suggestions all. I was thinking of staying at the Garden of the Gods Resort for 4-5 days and then heading out to Grand Junction for a week, but logistically it becomes kinda of pain with flying in and out of Denver. The Summit County option would likely make things much easier.

02-12-14, 06:53 AM

cyccommute

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45suited

Thanks again for the suggestions all. I was thinking of staying at the Garden of the Gods Resort for 4-5 days and then heading out to Grand Junction for a week, but logistically it becomes kinda of pain with flying in and out of Denver. The Summit County option would likely make things much easier.

I'm going to be different from everyone else here and suggest you stick with this plan. I might even suggest skipping Grand Junction all together. People in my state tend to be "I-70 centric" which means Summit County, Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction. There is more to this square state than those 3 places. They are nice but everyone goes there.

Colorado Springs has a lot to offer in terms of riding and other things to do. I'd suggest going to the Steamboat Springs area instead of Summit County or Grand Junction.

04-25-14, 09:02 PM

superdex

might as well take a look at Boulder -- the riding options from there will fill 4 days easily, and you're in town and you can scoot up to Estes with the Fam if you want them to have a mountain day...